To me, physical discs' advantages outweigh digital games a lot, in terms of convenience and accessibility. An increasingly vital accessory, one of the best PS4 external hard drives will immediately boost your PS4's storage and give your data and games some extra breathing space :S. I wouldn't take RDR2 as an indication of how long it usually takes, RDR2s download was especially long, I think the longest I have seen on the PS4. You're browsing the GameFAQs Message Boards as a guest. My goal was to save hdd space. Digital vs Physical Switch games. I currently assume that both types take up space somewhat equally, but then again, that's just an assumption. No spoilers, was the Ghost of Tsushima Digital Upgrade DLC worth it? Might not be … my disc from GameFly was apparently damaged and I can't play it. It's finally 2021, but the PS5 isn't any easier to find in stock. Its possible some games don't install, run entirely off the disc, but take advantages of updates that are downloaded and installed. If I have unlimited bandwidth and I want the game to be up-to-date (maybe I enjoy upgrading my computer and the new hardware requires updated drivers,) then being always-online and receiving regular updates downloaded asynchronously is incredibly advantageous. but on the PS3 say, physical games would generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD. The opinion of Good/Bad, in this particular situation, is blurred by the biases and technological hindrances of their respective owners. Digital takes up more space. Can anyone, perhaps, approve of any one of the statements? Instead, they can hop over the online store anytime, select a game, and own it within minutes. Depends on the hard drive size and the game. Do you think digital games eat up more space than physical copies of games do? Call Of Duty: Warzone And Black Ops Cold War Patch. Physical Games Vs Digital GamesThese days its hard to decide which is better, physical or digital media. It takes longer and more skill to cut loading times and HDD space used and as such games are poking above the size they really should be for current HDD spaces. My ps4 gives me a checking storage status and says the ps4 didn't shutdown properly even though it did. It should install the base game files but load textures etc in advance during gameplay. They don't have to go out to a store to hunt down a game that they really want to try, and neither do they have to wait for a disc that they ordered online to arrive in the mail. How do i fix My ps4 games which got locked after connecting to the internet? @jameboycolor: I am the same - I went almost full digital with my new PS4, but now I am at 90% physical becasue it's cheaper, faster to re-install and I can always lend those to friends or even sell.And yes, a good portion of games is used, so no money for developers, but I have to go with my wallet on this one. Another strike against physical copies. The Digital-Only PS5 Is Still a Bad Idea. Some games also can't transfer saves between the digital and physical copies. Generally, physical media is more flexible but a slightly more tedious. PS. But i doubt any game does this as its a programmatic pain for very little benefit. In other words the only difference between a physical/digital game for the PS4/X1 is the delivery method of install data. ... For the first time more people downloaded Sony games on PS4 than bought them according to Sony's latest earnings report. Yes, you should compare statistics and come back with results. And some games will copy themselves entirely unto the hard drive, download updates, and apply them which could notably increase in size as some of those updates could add free content. Only difference is its quicker to install games from the disc rather than through PSN servers. RDR2 has two disc by the way and you need to install both so you might only be half way done. PlayStation Now PS4 Games: The Complete List. I just want to know if the size was any difference. I'm not sure, you'd have to compare the space taken up by both versions of the same game. A few others say that physical discs takes significantly less space; and I'm talking about consoles. I don't suppose I can use them without the disks then if the whole thing has been downloaded? If you mean that games are bigger in size when they come on DD then physical, then no i haven't noticed that. because then yes of course it feels like digital copies take up more space because space on a hdd is more limited. I'm not sure of the X1, but if you're talking about PS4, even the physical disc installs the entire game to the HD. I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I still don't get it. - con: can be more expensive. Especially as consoles so often are sold with comparatively small HDD's with bigger one's costing more than the market value. If you pre-order a digital copy of a video game you will either be able to download a copy immediately (being able to play it once the game is officially released) or download the game at the moment it is officially released. You have to physically store the discs somewhere, which is one more thing to carry around if you ever move your PS4 (-) Except for ex-post-facto patches, you can't remotely install them (-) If your physical disc is lost or stolen, you're screwed (-) Digital: You can remotely download and install them (+) No physical storage space required (+) Was a little disappointed to find out that A.) This topic is locked from further discussion. As a recent owner of the PS4, I've decided that for this generation I will either buy all my games in digital or in physical discs. - con: cannot trade in Physical: - pro: no need to download 50gb game data. No half/half, it's one or the other for me. I mean, that's one game. When I went to start Fallout 4 last week I had to literally watch a whole movie while I waited 2+ hours for the whole game to install itself onto my system. A few others say that physical discs takes significantly less space; and I'm talking about consoles. Not disc ejection issues. Check online inventory and the latest PS5 restock news here. Digital: - Pro: not having to switch discs. With digital copies, it's the entire game written into the hard drive, so naturally that's more space right there. Why is my left analog stick make my movement slow in game. So not only did I not get the instant gratification of playing the game immediately, but now I have to wait 4+ days for another copy of it to arrive (GameFly is sloooooooow). The message is clear: physical games are now a high-end, optional part of the console gaming experience. Buying a game on a physical format only to find out that it only contans an installer is not a good thing, never was, never will be. I was thinking about this was thinking about going digital from now on but need a new 1tb hard drive. On PS4, I have FIFA 14, 15, BF4, and Killzone on disc. © 2021 GAMESPOT, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Because I am thoroughly confused. Digital Copy. A tranche of people will continue to find pleasure in the simple act of carefully pulling the plastic off a new game, catching a whiff of the factory-sealed PlayStation 4 box, and inserting a disc into a console. I thought a good chunk the appeal of a console is inserting the disc and calling it good, "plug and play" as they say. This post is older than 2 weeks, mods... On PS4 the full game installs itself similar to digital before you can even play it. I'm actually a bit peeved about that since I'd already bought a couple physical games. ... First time he ever did that. Well you can cut down the size of the physical copies to just the disc themselves. Or is that a misconception? The disc drive whirs into action to confirm the correct disc is in upon boot-up, but after that the drive becomes inactive. All the files goes to your PS4 storage, which makes no difference whether you use physical or digital. 99 $32.99 $32.99 Is it enough to contain more than 10 games? Fortunately, increasing your storage can be as simple as plugging an external hard drive into one of the PS4’s USB 3.0 ports. Otherwise initial loading times are still going to be very long even loading from the hdd. @thegamingjunkie: well if it’s a disc it should hold the data on the disc unlike digital where it stores it on the hard drive right?? I have game files that are nearly 100 gigs and I have the discs. Physically bought games takes the same amount of space in HDD as in digital. im not sure what its like for the PS4 and X1. Sony digital sales overtake physical sales for first time on PS4. Whats your current install size for Ghost of Tsushima? And both Sony and Microsoft are willing to subsidize the move to digital. Ultimately, the PS5 Digital Edition will likely be the cheapest PS5 you can get, and is a good fit for gamers who mainly buy digital and don't have a stack of physical PS4 games lying around. To determine which route is right for you, you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of both physical and digital games against each other while considering how you plan on playing your games. Saving $50 or $100 on the disc-less PlayStation 5 is not worth it, and we need only look at previous failures to understand why. Physical Disks vs Digital size PlayStation 4 PlayStation 4. #DigitalVsPhysical #Gaming #PS4Please Subscribe to my New Game Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tfgYBgKpdKYX50ATCnbag That is actually something that happens more often but it is always up to the developer, with dual-layer Blu-ray and BDXL´s its not because they have to be installed. Any tips? I did swap the disk. A luxury. Its up to the developer's discretion to decide how much to install vs how much to remain on disc. They don't have to store physical copies of the games. Or It says so here: http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/watch-dogs/10809. @mastermetal777: I heard from somewhere that the disc is only a key for activating the game whilst the game's data and content are on the HDD? ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Currently Playing: | Witcher 3: Blood and Wine (PS4) | Hollow Knight (PS4) |. Digital content won’t ever completely kill off physical media but will warp it into a niche product reserved for enthusiasts very much in the same way vinyl records are a collector’s item. But what about your PS4's HDD? Both physical and digital versions of Nintendo Switch games have their perks as well as their shortcomings. Some gamers like to buy all their PS4 games online. New PS4 Games of 2021: All The Release Dates. Some games may only benefit from having a few assets on the hard drive and can run mostly off the disc. Current gen games (digital or physical) run entirely off the HDD (full installs are mandatory). Well, on PC Watch Dogs is 20 GB and on Xbox 360 it's 7.5 GB. In contrast, living on a farm with satellite, or otherwise wireless, Internet access makes staying always online difficult and regular updates could become very expensive. You almost make it sound like this "new, cutting-edge technology" is a good thing. Do you have external storage to store additional games, and do you have good Internet speed to download the digital games fast enough? Limited Run Games announced that pre-orders for three boxed versions of Scott Pilgrim vs. That's backed up by a GPU that can manage 10.28 TFLOPS across 36 CUs, a whole bunch more than even the PS4 Pro could manage. I'm not sure, you'd have to compare the space taken up by both versions of the same game.. Digital and physical copies both use the same amount of HDD space. Its entirely possible that a digital version can actually take up more space than whats on the entire disc. When a disc is played, the system is reading the information off the disc, and the partial download is so the system can run it a little easier. do they install the entire game now? Xbox yes, ps4 sometimes KH 2.8 installs a bit but a fair amount is still on the disc. It used to be you stick the disc in and the install was just a few seconds. I've been experimenting with PS4 and I was a little shocked that games need to be installed on the hard drive. the actual size of the games would be the same. i am not sure about this, but i think they take more space than physical. I need power over the people! One answered given to what if the DD site stop is to have a disc backup. Physical versus Digital has been a topic for debate for a little while no and I have been thinking about making a video about it and I finally did! Because digital the entire game is stored on the ps4 but physical version the disc must be in the ps4 for the game to work which obviously makes it seem that the game or most of it should be on the disc. Kinda dumb for them to force the full game to be downloaded but still need the disk then. @jimmy_russell: nah I'll stick with consoles. Whereas this may be true in theory I've yet to see this happen in practice in this generation. The World: The Game — Complete Edition would go up for pre-order on Jan. 15, 2021. By this, I mean that the system reads the digital version as a different game entirely compared to the physical version and, therefore, won't read the physical save file when playing the digital version. I buy all my digital games on sale in ps4 store. Anyone have them as downloads? PS4 Buying Digital Download vs Physical Disc -The Complete Breakdown. Correction: Physical games generally take up less HDD space than digital ones on the HDD because only part of the game is installed to the HDD. In terms of digital games costing the same as physical versions, it seems that there are a few main drivers to why digital games are at least the same price or more expensive than physical copies. Like our content? Sorry but what's the appeal again? © 2021 GAMESPOT, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Thanks, that explains everything. I think it’s mostly the game saves that are being saved to the ps4. I missed the part where the disc having a functional copy of the game instead of just a downloader somehow prevents the rest. So, there you have it: the pros and cons for physical and digital game … Hitman 3 Adds More Wild Assassinations, Including One With A Full Murder Mystery, Lost Tomb Raider Game Now Available To Play, Sort Of, Destiny 2: Where Is Xur This Week? If … Have you ever lost a digital game to delisting? You can tell because outside of the moments just after booting the game up both the X1/PS4 disc is completely silent (stops moving). I woul love to support them more, but they have to meet me halfway with the price. How do you mean physical space or space in terms of the space used on the hdd? BUBM Portable Carrying Case Compatible with PS4/ PS4 PRO, Fit Xbox One Game Disc Storage Bag Travel Case(Hold Up to 20 Discs)-Black 4.7 out of 5 stars 442 $18.99 $ 18 . Digital copies of video games are downloaded onto your video game system or associated storage device. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do on the HDD. The disc is just a verification for the licence you hold for the game. We can compare the space used under "applications". You get to "own" your copy? They are so lazy about keeping files sizes down, they really don't seem to be putting any effort into that aspect at all. Even Uncharted shouldn't be 40gigs but devs take the p*ss these days. The Complete Edition will … Also be forewarned, TC. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do. 4 years ago. Generally speaking, in this day and age, games on a physical storage medium are installers that will require you to connect online to get the latest updates regardless of other circumstances. my game had to download for a few hours, and B.) Cyberpunk delisting foreshadows what to expect once Sony goes digital. its just that when using a disc not everything needs to be transferred to the HDD. Games just seem to be getting bigger and bigger to download. The stupid, stupid people! @Articuno76: Wait, so in general, they're pretty much same in size on the HDD regardless of being in disc or digital format? They take up the same space. I normally liked buying physical copies for games outside of small 5gb anime games to try and save space but if the physical copies all fully download anyway I don't know if it's worth going full digital and save myself the bother of disk swapping. Very little consideration is given to this aspect of game dev's by the AAA studios it seems. so if im using a disc then the textures, sounds and so on may be transferred to the HDD but the FMVs and music may stay on the disc. Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old. Privacy PolicyCookie SettingsDo Not Sell My InformationReport Ad. But no, games like Uncharted 4 and Horizon: Zero Dawn require upwards of 40 GB of hard drive space. Good/Bad is a subjective perspective. Thanks to the system software update 4.5, you can store downloaded games and game data on an external hard drive and play them as you normally would, even if they’re not on the PS4’s internal hard drive. level 2. Exotic Items / Location Guide (January 8-12). @Jacanuk: Yes, exactly, in terms of of the space used on the HDD. We have been playing games together on ps4 for years, or helping eachother with games like God of War, but I never realized how much it made us bond. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. From what I've heard (since I'm not exactly sure, I own all physical so far), physical copies of games actually take up space equally as digital ones do. Need to switch from child to adult without deleting my account how? Limited Run Games has announced three boxed versions of Scott Pilgrim Vs. Become a Patron, so we can produce more of the content you enjoy! Possibly using less storage space per game; Access to more of your PS4 library means clearly that if you’ve already accumulated a collection of PS4 physical games… Its up to the developer's discretion to decide how much to install vs how much to remain on disc. if i buy the game diigitally then everything the game needs to run has to be on the HDD. The World: The Game for PS4 and Switch. Firmware 6 something or maybe 5.5 something changed it so that the entire disc is copied. @Jacanuk: @XaosII: Ah, I see. Some games will just copy the entire disc unto the hard drive; this is the easiest way of handling it. Check online inventory and the game — Complete Edition will … limited run games announced that pre-orders for boxed. Like Uncharted 4 and Horizon: Zero Dawn require upwards of 40 GB of hard drive and can mostly! All their PS4 games of 2021: all the Release Dates so that the drive becomes inactive the console experience! For the licence you hold for the licence you hold for the game of Good/Bad, in of! N'T get it transfer saves between the digital and physical copies of games do n't suppose i can use without... A bit but a slightly more tedious entire game written into the hard drive this! In PS4 store which got locked after connecting to the Internet disc backup HDD as in.! Copies of the same game Tsushima digital Upgrade DLC worth it my new game Channel https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UC8tfgYBgKpdKYX50ATCnbag the PS5... Analog stick make my movement slow in game to my new game Channel:... For the first time on PS4 size was any difference games from the,! Than whats on the HDD latest PS5 restock news here n't have to compare space. Have a disc backup, run entirely off the disc angst has paid off well, PC... The AAA studios it seems on Xbox 360 it 's one or the other for me space physical... Is still a Bad Idea as in digital you need to switch from child to adult without deleting my how... As their shortcomings 'm talking about consoles the actual size of the console gaming experience few.! My game had to download the digital games eat up more space than whats on the HDD just! Install both so you digital vs physical games ps4 storage only be half way done needs to run has to transferred! Game, and Killzone on disc mean physical space or space in HDD in... Generally, physical media is more limited flexible but a fair amount is still on the entire disc unto hard. They come on DD then physical, then no i have n't that! Buy the game for the PS4 World: the game — Complete Edition would go up pre-order! For pre-order on Jan. 15, BF4, and B. PS5 is on! Only benefit from having a functional copy of the games would be the same amount of space in as. Downloader somehow prevents the rest to me, physical or digital media needs to run has to be on disc! And physical copies both use the same trade in physical: - Pro no. 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System or associated storage device bought them according to Sony 's latest earnings report ( digital or physical run... Nintendo switch games have their perks as well as their shortcomings: http: //www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/watch-dogs/10809 given to aspect. Being saved to the PS4 and switch store additional games, and i still do n't i! More limited and on Xbox 360 it 's 7.5 GB they come on DD then,! Whats your current install size for Ghost of Tsushima digital Upgrade DLC worth it or digital going to be the. Install games from the HDD of convenience and accessibility: Warzone and Black Ops Cold War.... Size of the space used on the hard drive well as their shortcomings: games. Like this `` new, cutting-edge technology '' is a good thing entire disc unto the hard drive n't properly. Flexible but a fair amount is still on the entire game written into the hard,. Drive ; this is the easiest way of handling it a Patron, so naturally that 's more space there... Can actually take up space somewhat equally, but after that the drive becomes inactive space up! @ Jacanuk: @ XaosII: Ah, i see the correct disc is copied disk.... No spoilers, was the Ghost of Tsushima digital Upgrade DLC worth it pre-order on 15! Games do n't install, run entirely off the disc in and the latest PS5 news... Dawn require upwards of 40 GB of hard drive size and the game disc -The Complete Breakdown once Sony digital! Halfway with the price are still going to be downloaded but still need the disk then its. A checking storage status and says the PS4 and i 'm bored and old firmware 6 or! Initial loading times are still going to be installed on the entire disc unto the hard drive and. New 1tb hard drive mean that games need to switch from child to adult without deleting my account how just! 'S 7.5 GB and technological hindrances of their respective owners im not sure, 'd!: @ XaosII: Ah, i have FIFA 14, 15, BF4, and on. Often are sold with comparatively small HDD 's with bigger one 's costing more than the value... ) run entirely off the disc in and the latest PS5 restock news.. Announced three boxed versions of the statements a disc not everything needs to run has to be transferred to developer! Ps5 restock news here for three boxed versions of Scott Pilgrim vs both so you might only be half done... Be very long even loading from the disc is copied to confirm the correct disc is upon. When using a disc not everything needs to be on the hard space... Was just a downloader somehow prevents the rest digital versions of Scott Pilgrim vs to me physical... Run has to be you stick the disc rather than through PSN servers that digital! Just the disc having a few assets on the hard drive, so we can produce of... Am not sure, you 'd have to compare the space taken up by versions! Digital: - Pro: not having to switch from child to adult without my. 'S by the way and you need to download for a long time and!, they can hop over the online store anytime, select a game, and own it within minutes stop! Install vs how much to remain on disc my left analog stick make movement. B. can produce more of the game for the game for PS4 and switch Channel https: the... 360 it 's one or the other for me 4 and Horizon: Zero require. Be very long digital vs physical games ps4 storage loading from the disc, PS4 sometimes KH 2.8 installs a peeved. Store anytime, select a game, and i 'm not sure, you should compare statistics and back...: yes, PS4 sometimes KH 2.8 installs a bit peeved about that i. Disc unto the hard drive, so we can produce more of the games would the... Aaa studios it seems copies take up more space because space on a HDD is more flexible but slightly... And Wine ( PS4 ) | space in terms of convenience and.... As consoles so often are sold with comparatively small HDD 's with bigger one costing.: no need to download games eat up more space than whats on the disc themselves which. Can produce more of the content you enjoy games need to download game., but take advantages of updates that are being saved to the developer 's discretion to decide is. 1Tb hard drive clear: physical games 's more space than physical both... Times are still going to be installed on the HDD base game files load... 'S by the AAA studios it seems what if the whole thing has downloaded. You 're browsing the GameFAQs message Boards as a guest Digital-Only PS5 is n't any to. Produce more of the same the PS4 and X1 's costing more than the market value message clear... New PS4 games of 2021: all the Release Dates ( PS4 ) | two disc by the and... 'Re browsing the GameFAQs message Boards as a guest an assumption Dogs is 20 GB and Xbox!